Interspecific tree named ‘Crimson Carson’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree with vigorous, upright growth.   2. Heavy and regular production of medium size fruit.   3. Fruit with attractive red skin color.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.

Botanical designation: Interspecific Prunus species.

Variety denomination: ‘CRIMSON CARSON’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of interspecifics, which are known to us,and mentioned herein, ‘Flavorite’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No.11,609), ‘Flavor Queen’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,915),‘Flavor Royale’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,413) and ourproprietary non-patented interspecific selections ‘17MA204’, ‘75Z424’,‘368LD243’, 42GA580 and 7HC244.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree consists of thecombination of (Prunus salicina and Prunus armeniaca) was originated byus in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. from seed ofour open pollinated proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling withthe field identification number ‘17MA204’. The interspecificnon-patented seed parent (17MA204) originated as a first generationcross of our proprietary non-patented interspecific selections ‘75Z424’and ‘368LD243’. The interspecific seedling selection ‘75Z424’ originatedas a first generation seedling from the cross of ‘Flavorite’Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,609) with the proprietarynon-patented Plumcot ‘42GA580’. ‘368LD243’ originated from the cross ofour interspecific non-patented proprietary seedling ‘7HC244’ with‘Flavor Queen’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,420). A large numberof these open pollinated seedlings were budded onto older establishedtrees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to induce earlier maturityand fruit evaluation. Under close and careful observation the presentseedling exhibited desirable tree and fruit characteristics and wasselected in 2004 for additional asexual propagation andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

A new and distinct variety of interspecific trees which consists of Plumand Plumcots is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and is a regularand productive bearer of medium size, red flesh fruit with very goodflavor and eating quality. The fruit is further characterized by havingattractive red skin, firm flesh that has good shipping and storagequality. In comparison to its immediate parent (17MA204) the fruit ofthe new interspecific variety is approximately 7 days earlier inmaturity and a chilling requirement of approximately 600 hours at orbelow 45° F. compared to 700 hours. In comparison to the commercialvariety ‘Flavor Royale’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,413) thefruit of the new variety is approximately 7 days earlier in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 8 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 8 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the            first growing season. Varies with soil type, fertility of            soil and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size. Fruit set varies with            climatic conditions during bloom time.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 7 consecutive years. No            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to allow            more sunlight to center of tree to enhance fruit color and            health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 600 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference of 57.2 cm at 20.3 cm            above ground on a 8 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 2/2 to 2.5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 15.5 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 27 in 25.8 sq cm area. Average            length 5.5 mm. Average width 2.0 mm. Color varies from 7.5YR            4/8 to 10YR 5/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5R 3/4. Mature            growth varies from 10YR 3/2 to 10YR 2/2, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 103.9 mm. Average            width 47.6 mm.        -   Form.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrulate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower            surface relatively smooth except for ridges created by            midrib and pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 11.8 mm. Average width 1.5 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Color varies from 7.5GY 5/6 to 5GY            4/8. Surface — glabrous.        -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.7 mm.            Average diameter 0.5 mm. Average number 3, varies from 2            to 4. Located primarily on base of the leaf blade and the            upper portion of the petiole. Color varies from 5GY 6/8 to            2.5GY 6/8.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 5.5 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color 5GY 6/8.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 3/6 to 7.5GY 3/4. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein color            varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/8.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 9.2 mm. Average            diameter 6.2 mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Conical, becomes more elongate as bud matures.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 7.9 mm. Average width 0.6 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 7/6.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number of buds per spur.—Varies from 5 to 10, average            number 7. Varies with age of spur.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 20, 2013. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 2, 2013, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average height 10.8 mm. Average            diameter 18.8 mm.        -   Petals.—Number — normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals.            Size — medium. Average length 9.6 mm. Average width 8.4 mm.            Form — obovate. Arrangement — overlapping. Margin — sinuate.            Color N 9.5/ (white). Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Number — normally 5, alternately arranged to petals.            Size — small to medium. Average length 3.2 mm. Average width            2.6 mm. Shape — triangular. Margin — entire. Color — upper            surface varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/8. Lower surface            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/8. Both upper and lower            surfaces glabrous.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 33. Average filament            length 7.2 mm. Filament color N 9.5/ (white). Anther color            varies from 5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/10.        -   Pollen.—Self sterile. Color varies from 5Y 7/8 to 5Y 7/10.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Surface — glabrous. Average            length 10.6 mm. Position of stigma an average of 1.1 mm            above anthers. Color varies from 10Y 7/6 to 2.5GY 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Heavy.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Varies from 1 to 4, average            number 3.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 8.7 mm. Average width 0.6 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY 6/6.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—May 28, 2013.        -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 7, 2013, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Medium. Average diameter 50.8 mm. Average transversely            in suture plane 59.0 mm. Average weight 105.1 grams, varies            slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of thinning and            climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Nearly smooth to very slightly lipped, extends from            base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in the suture            plane. Average depth 5.7 mm. Average diameter 5.2 mm.

Stem:

-   -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 14.3 mm. Average diameter 1.5            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6.

-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Normally even, some fruit slightly earlier at apex.        -   Texture.—Firm.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to other commercial varieties.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Heavy amount, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 13.4°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 5R 3/10 to 5Y 9/2.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 23.0 mm. Average width 20.0 mm.            Average depth 5.0 mm. Color 5R 3/10.

-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Bloom.—Moderate amount.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 8.5/6 to 5Y 9/4.            Overspread with 5R 3/8 to 5R 2/4.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Slight to none.

-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 22.6 mm. Average width 19.1 mm.            Average thickness 8.7 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Acuminate, average length 1.2 mm.        -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—A small ridge on each side of suture extending from            base to apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 5YR 4/8 to 7.5YR 5/8 when dry.

-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 12.9 mm. Average width            9.3 mm. Average depth 4.3 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Partially viable, some embryos with incomplete            development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/4 to 7.5Y 9/4.

-   Use: Dessert.    -   -   Market.—Local and long distance.

-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 3 weeks at 38°    to 42° F. without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of    flavor.

-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or flesh bruising    during picking, packing and shipping trials.

-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecifictree, substantially as illustrated and described.